Spy Stories

https://www.aviation-defence-universe.com/in-the-shadows-of-war-how-a-u-s-citizen-became-russias-spy-in-ukraine-2/ In the Shadows of War: How a U.S. Citizen Became Russia’s Spy in Ukraine” Hits 359 Courtesy : The Moscow Times • The Modern Playbook of Espionage by Daniel Martindale • Deep Cover and Digital Trails: Espionage in the Age of Proxy Wars By Jai Kumar Verma New Delhi. 24 July 2025. In an age where battlefield victories depend as much on intelligence as on firepower, the case of Daniel Martindale—a U.S. citizen accused of spying for Russia in Ukraine—offers a chilling glimpse into the evolving strategies of modern-day espionage. His journey from language teacher to alleged intelligence asset not only reflects the blurred lines between ideology and betrayal but also unveils how online platforms, ideological motivations, and deep-cover operations have transformed the way intelligence wars are fought in contemporary conflict zones. In a notable development this month, Russian President Vladimir Putin granted citizenship to Daniel Martindale, a U.S. national alleged to have carried out espionage activities for Russia in Ukraine. The decision has intensified concerns within the international defence and intelligence communities, further underscoring the evolving complexities of geopolitical rivalry and covert operations in the region. Reports suggest that Martindale spent over two years in Ukraine transmitting military coordinates to Russia to aid their offensive. He allegedly contacted pro-Russian forces via Telegram and passed on information about Ukrainian military facilities in the Donetsk region. Courtesy : Sputnik India According to reports from Russian state media, Daniel Martindale is alleged to have provided Russian authorities with sensitive intelligence, including the positions of Ukrainian military units and other critical operational details within Ukrainian-held areas of Donetsk. Russian media claimed that according to the information supplied by Martindale, Russian military conducted “precise strikes” against Ukrainian positions. The information helped Russians in planning and executing offensive operations. Denis Pushilin, the Russian-installed head of the Donetsk region, claimed that some of the intelligence shared by Martindale contributed directly to the Russian forces’ successful capture of the strategically significant city of Kurakhove. Pushilin further claimed that Martindale was instrumental in the seizure of the village of Bohoiavlenka in October 2023, highlighting the operational impact of his alleged involvement in the conflict. Russian media sources also reported that Daniel Martindale operated in Ukraine for approximately two years, relaying military coordinates and intelligence to Russian forces following the full-scale invasion in February 2022. According to his own statements, he began transmitting information related to Ukrainian military facilities in the Donetsk region in the early stages of the conflict—activity that aligns with the two-year espionage timeline cited by Russian state outlets. Courtesy : Sputnik Times Today’s battlefields are increasingly shaped by information warfare, where intelligence agencies leverage both traditional methods and digital innovations to recruit assets and gather actionable data. Martindale’s story, as detailed by Russian state media, reveals how encrypted apps like Telegram are used to communicate with operatives and transmit sensitive information—ranging from military coordinates to troop movements. According to Russian claims, his information was instrumental in Russian strikes on Ukrainian military positions and the capture of cities like Kurakhove and Bohoiavlenka. Martindale’s use of “missionary” cover and his deep ideological alignment with Russian values demonstrate how spies are now groomed not just for skills, but for belief systems. As he publicly stated, “Russia is not only my home but also my family,” underlining how ideological sympathy can be weaponised into espionage. According to Russian state media, Daniel Martindale initiated contact with Russian intelligence services independently and was subsequently directed to relocate to the city of Vuhledar to await the advance of Russian forces. However, Ukrainian journalists have raised questions about the timeline of his involvement, suggesting that Martindale may have been recruited by Russian intelligence years earlier. These claims point to his prior residency in Russia between 2016 and 2019, during which he studied the Russian language and worked as an English teacher in Vladivostok—until his deportation for labour law violations. This earlier connection has led to speculation that his ties to Russian operatives may predate the 2022 invasion. Courtesy : Sputnik Television After his deportation from Russia, Daniel Martindale relocated to Poland but reportedly continued to express interest in returning to Russian territory. In early 2022—just days before the launch of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine—Martindale crossed into Ukraine, allegedly with the intent of reaching the contested Donetsk border region. During this period, he is said to have operated under the guise of a missionary while residing in areas near Vuhledar, which eventually fell to Russian forces in the fall of 2024. In a development that reiterates the complex intelligence landscape of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, Russian state media in October 2024 claimed the extraction of a significant intelligence asset from Ukrainian-held territory. According to these reports, the individual in question was identified as a U.S. citizen who had been clandestinely providing actionable intelligence to Russian forces over a two-year period. The case gained further prominence in November 2024, when a press conference held in Moscow featured a direct statement from Daniel Martindale. During his remarks, Martindale reportedly confirmed his involvement, stating that he had established contact with pro-Russian elements and shared sensitive intelligence pertaining to Ukrainian military infrastructure, particularly within the contested Donetsk region. The implications of this revelation are significant, raising questions about the broader dimensions of foreign involvement in the conflict, the efficacy of counterintelligence efforts, and the evolving nature of information warfare on the Eastern European front. However Ukrainian journalists mentioned that Martindale may be recruited by Russians at the time when he was staying in Russia between 2016 and 2019. Courtesy : NPR According to Russian state media, the extraction of Daniel Martindale was carried out by Russian special services in a complex operation, reportedly prompted by security concerns related to his presence in Ukrainian-controlled territory. Following the operation, Martindale was transported to Russia, where he applied for citizenship. Notably, Russian sources also revealed that Martindale had previously been deported from Russia in 2019 for alleged violations of labour regulations—an aspect that adds complexity to his re-entry and current legal status. As of this writing, neither the United States government nor Martindale’s family has issued public statements regarding the circumstances of his extraction or the claims surrounding his activities. Russians claim that Daniel Martindale was granted Russian citizenship as a reward for his activities in supporting Russia’s military operation in Ukraine and to reiterates his professed loyalty and identification with Russia. Russian citizenship law allows for expedited naturalization for individuals who perform extraordinary service for the Russian state. Martindale spent two years in Ukraine and transmitted high value information. Martindale demonstrated loyalty and he repeatedly expressed his admiration for Russia and desire to become a Russian citizen. Analysts also mention that Russians have done it for propaganda, that a US citizen who actively supported Russia against Ukraine, was given Russian citizenship as he was eager of getting Russian nationality. Russians propagated that national of western countries including United States are supporting Russian action in Ukraine. It boosts the morale of Russian forces and undermine Western narrative that the international community is unified against Russia’s actions. Offering citizenship to foreign fighters, especially those with specialized skills, can act as a recruitment incentive also. Courtesy : The Infographics Show The intelligence agencies do not hesitate to use extremist outfits for collection of intelligence as well as for executing their clandestine operations. Online platforms, including messaging apps and dating sites, are being used to recruit individuals, communicate with agents, and even conduct sabotage operations. Russia is actively using social media and other platforms to spread misinformation, sow discord, and undermine support for Ukraine. Martindale’s case highlights how individuals may be recruited through ideological alignment, potentially through online platforms or direct contact, to support foreign adversaries. Intelligence agencies target vulnerable individuals including teenagers, who may be seeking financial gain, driven by ideology, or feeling marginalized. The children and these individuals are used for espionage and sabotage activities. In past Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) used children for stone pelting in Kashmir. While instances of Westerners aiding Russia in the Ukraine conflict are exceedingly rare, the case of Martindale stands out both for its symbolic weight and the media attention it garners within Russia. His presence reflects a subtle yet emerging trend of Western individuals aligning with Russia on ideological grounds—particularly shared conservative or Christian values. Though still marginal, such cases highlight the complex cultural and ideological dimensions shaping the broader geopolitical landscape of the conflict. Intelligence agencies are also adapting by focusing on deep-cover agents—individuals who blend into society over years and develop credible personas. Martindale’s earlier years in Vladivostok, where he taught English and studied Russian, are now being examined for signs of premeditated recruitment. Strategic analysts point to a broader trend, where spies are no longer just state actors in diplomatic missions, but embedded civilians who slowly gather trust, access, and intelligence. This shift is paralleled in other conflicts; for instance, the case of Catherine Perez-Shakdam, an Israeli spy who penetrated Iranian circles, shows how gender, faith, and ideology can be powerful tools in modern intelligence operations. (The details can be seen on https://www.aviation-defence-universe.com/spy-strategist-shadow-mossads-female-agent-who-changed-the-israel-iran-conflict/ The Daniel Martindale episode illustrates the increasingly murky terrain of global espionage—where ideology, identity, and digital connectivity converge to produce new-age spies. Whether motivated by personal conviction or recruited through strategic grooming, these operatives operate in a hybrid space that challenges traditional notions of loyalty and warfare. As intelligence services double down on recruiting such assets, the lines between citizen and combatant, missionary and militant, continue to blur—marking a new era in clandestine warfare. (Jai Kumar Verma is a Delhi-based strategic analyst and member of United Services Institute of India and The Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses,. The views in the article are solely the author’s. He can be contacted at editor.adu@gmail.com) https://www.aviation-defence-universe.com/spy-strategist-shadow-mossads-female-agent-who-changed-the-israel-iran-conflict/ Spy, Strategist, Shadow: Mossad’s Female Agent Who Changed the Israel-Iran Conflict Courtesy : www.iranintl.com • The Woman Who Burned Iran Without a Matchstick: Mossad’s Spy in Tehran • Catherine Perez-Shakdam: The Journalist Who Became Israel’s Deadliest Spy By Jai Kumar Verma New Delhi. 11July 2025. In one of the most audacious intelligence coups of modern times, Mossad reportedly deployed a deep-cover agent who penetrated the highest echelons of Iran’s military and political establishment. French-born Catherine Perez-Shakdam, a journalist of Jewish origin turned Shia Muslim, infiltrated Iran’s elite circles, allegedly passing sensitive information that severely compromised the Islamic Republic’s strategic defences. Courtesy : www.timesofisrael.com Catherine Perez-Shakdam, a French-born journalist of Jewish origin, who was working as Mossad spy, successfully penetrated in the Iran’s highest echelons gave a stern blow to the security of Islamic Republic of Iran. According to knowledgeable sources Catherine, a courageous lady converted to Shia Muslim and successfully got access in the innermost circles of defence, political and religious groups of Iran. She also got access to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. She was nicknamed as ‘lady killer’ and became a game changer in recent Israel Iran conflict. Mossad successfully evicted her before the attacks but later on countrywide search held in which several suspected Israeli spies were caught and at least three Iranian citizens who allegedly cooperated with her were executed. Posters of her photograph displayed all over Tehran and security forces have arrested large number of persons on the suspicion of espionage. She took a perfect ‘Deep Cover’ of a Western journalist who pretended that she wanted to know more about Shia Islam while residing in a Shia dominated country. She also claimed that she wanted to explore how the country is ruled under Shia Islam. The ‘Deep Cover’ for an intelligence agent refers to the sustained and carefully constructed identity and background an agent assumes to operate covertly for an extended period, often for years or even their entire career, without revealing their true affiliation with an intelligence agency. This cover is crucial for maintaining operational security and enabling the agent to gather intelligence or carry out other clandestine activities within a target organization or environment. The ‘Deep Cover’ requires a meticulous creation and maintenance of a false identity. This involves not just a name and job title, but a complete backstory, relationships, and a convincing persona that can withstand intense scrutiny. Courtesy : X Catherine Perez-Shakdam was born in a secular Jewish family in France. Her maternal grandfather fought in the French Resistance against the Nazi occupation and the collaborationist Vichy regime while her paternal grandfather was a Holocaust survivor. She studied psychology and also got postgraduate degrees in finance and communications from University of London. Besides a journalist she was also a political analyst, commentator and expert in West Asian politics. She also worked as consultant in United Nations Security Council on Yemen and had deep knowledge of Islam, radicalisation, Islamic extremism and terrorism. She also worked for seven years for Wikistrat which is an Israeli geostrategic and analysis firm. In London she converted to Islam to marry a Yemeni Sunni Muslim. She got divorce in 2014 and in 2017 she reached Iran and publicly claimed herself as a Shia Muslim. She also showed interest to understand the ideology of Islamic Republic of Iran. Catherine had taken the cover of a journalist hence wrote articles for important news-media such as Tehran Times, Tasnim News, Mehr News and Mashregh News. Her writings were also published in the Khamenei.ir, which is the official website of Iran’s Supreme Leader, indicates her acceptability in Iranian regime. There are also reports that she was employed by Khamenei as a writer for his website although once she was exposed all the articles were deleted from the website. She was writing articles, appreciating the Islamic Revolution and was critical to Western strategies, culture and way of life. Iranians liked that criticism as it was coming from a French journalist. As a journalist she interviewed Ebrahim Raisi in 2017 for Russia Today. Raisi was the presidential candidate at that time. She met several important Iranian military officers including General Qassem Soleimani, the former head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp’s (IRGC) Quds Force. Her closeness with IRGC gave her the opportunity to procure classified information about Iranian armed forces, nuclear scientists and others. Israel fully utilised this information to exterminate senior Iranian commanders, nuclear scientists and sensitive installations of the country. VAJA the intelligence agency of Iran claimed that she was sent to Iran after giving training by Mossad. She was beautiful, canny and daring and with her charisma and intelligent planning successfully hoodwinked the security forces of Iran. She was knowledgeable and was familiar with Middle Eastern politics. She not only dressed herself in black chador but also quoted Imam Khomeini with full respect and admiration. She spoke perfect Persian and she was regular in her prayers. Courtesy : X She became friendly with wives of senior army and civilian officers hence she got access to not only in their homes but also in the sensitive areas and from there she collected important and actionable intelligence. The wives of senior officers told her the movements, locations, and schedules of their husbands which she passed on to Mossad, consequent upon these senior military generals were eliminated through air strikes. She also collected information about military installations as well as the nuclear sites. She asked innocent questions from the wives of senior generals about the responsibilities and tensions of their husbands and the wives talk about late-night meetings, troop movements, names of army officers, scientists and even about the surveillance and threat of treachery. Catherine listened all these information and passed them to her handlers. She helped Mossad agents in establishing a drone base near Tehran and equipping it with precision-guided weapons. Mossad agents with the help of drone and precision-guided weapons successfully destroyed Iranian air defences as well as ballistic missile launchers. Destruction of Iranian air defences, disabling of ballistic missile launchers and death of senior army commanders including armed forces Chief of Staff, crippled the Iranian resistance and ability of counterattack on Israel. Her infiltration by Mossad was planned and devastating. Israel equipped with precise intelligence about Israeli commanders, their missile launches pads, their aerial defence and nuclear sites, launched Operation Shabgard (Nightwalker) on the nights of 13-14 June. Israeli air strikes not only disabled Iranian defences but also devastated Iran’s nuclear sites at Esfahan, Natanz, Parchin. Israel eliminated eight top IRCG officers, seven nuclear scientists were killed, three leading Quods Force Commanders were also exposed. Information about these targets were not collected through technical intelligence but this information was collected through human intelligence. The experts claim that Catherine was behind passing this vital information. Courtesy : X As her infiltration was well planned and flawless, same way her escape was also punctilious. She escaped through Zagros Mountains in the dark nights with the help of Kurdish contacts. She was airlifted by Mossad agents through helicopter in the dark nights without leaving any sign of her escape. Iranian security organisations came to know about the damage after her leaving Iran. The security agencies took severe actions, her network was shattered, people associated with her were pitilessly punished, her articles and Persian-written blog, were washed out. Her Twitter account was checked and disabled, her phone logs were examined and her meetings in Karaj and Shiraz were thoroughly investigated. The security sleuths checked the saloons she was visiting, the prayer rooms were inspected and a little suspicion of her connection anywhere had dire consequences. In Tehran people were afraid of taking her name or showing any association with her. She was known as ‘the lady who burned Iran without a matchstick.’ Iran is the world’s second most executioner after China, tried to catch her but as she escaped Iran executed people associated with her or came under suspicion. Catherine was an important participant of Israel’s ‘Operation Rising Lion’ which was a well-planned operation of Israel which devastated Iranian regime as well as its confidence. The operation which continued for years and included collection of actionable real-time intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, was based upon deep operational penetration, destruction of Iran’s command and control systems including its decision-making process. Courtesy : timesofisrael.com Analysts claim that she worked against Iran as she inculcated a deep resentment towards Islam because of maltreatment she received in Yemen by donning a hijab. She was also not satisfied with her Yemeni husband and felt bad that the identities of her children were battered. Although she claimed that she was not a Mossad spy and this allegation was only because of her Jewish heritage but MintPress News investigation, her association with Wikistrat, an Israeli- American firm related to intelligence and her close association with top Iranian establishment indicates that she was working for Mossad. Not only this Catherine’s present whereabouts are not known which indicates that she has changed her identity which also strengthens that she worked for Mossad. She was a great spy and collected and passed sensitive and actionable intelligence to Israel which helped in the destruction of Iran’s nuclear sites and its defence forces. Catherine Perez-Shakdam’s story reads like a spy thriller, but the consequences were real and far-reaching. Her deep-cover mission allegedly enabled Israel to pre-empt Iranian threats by eliminating top commanders, sabotaging ballistic launchers, and crippling nuclear facilities. Her silent exit, much like her quiet entrance, left behind a trail of fear, executions, and shattered networks. Whether hailed as a brilliant operative or condemned as a master manipulator, her role has undeniably altered the course of Israeli-Iranian hostilities and may serve as a case study in the power and peril of human intelligence. (Jai Kumar Verma is a Delhi-based strategic analyst and member of United Services Institute of India and The Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses,. The views in the article are solely the author’s. He can be contacted at editor.adu@gmail.com) https://www.aviation-defence-universe.com/china-cracks-down-on-espionage-ex-defence-engineer-faces-death-penalty/ China Cracks Down on Espionage: Ex-Defence Engineer Faces Death Penalty • Executes Harsh Justice as Spy Case Exposes Military Security Gaps By Jai Kumar Verma New Delhi. 05 April 2025. China’s state security apparatus recently confirmed the sentencing of Liu, a former defence engineer, to death for allegedly leaking classified details of the J-35A fifth-generation stealth fighter jet to a foreign intelligence agency. The case reiterates Beijing’s increasing concerns over espionage threats and the strict measures it is adopting to protect its military advancements. Liu, who once held a prestigious role at a key defence research institute specializing in military aviation, was accused of betraying state secrets for financial gain, leading to one of the most high-profile espionage crackdowns in recent years. The Ministry of State Security (MSS) has neither disclosed the full name of the accused nor gave the name of the country, of the foreign intelligence agency, Liu was working for. As a rare case the MSS issued a strong statement about the case and also mentioned the damages done to the internal security of the country and to Chinese military progressions. The Chinese social media speculated details of the Liu’s espionage case and asked pinpointed questions about the security breach, details of the case as well as about the implication of divulging the classified details to a foreign intelligence agency. China not only awarded death sentence to Liu but his trial was also very rapid and through this case Chinese authorities gave a stringent message that stern action would be taken against the spies who disclose Chinese secrets. The Global Times which is a daily tabloid newspaper under the patronage of the People’s Daily which is the leading newspaper of Chinese Communist Party mentions that “The case, long the subject of speculation on Chinese social media, has now been officially confirmed by the Ministry of State Security (MSS), which detailed Liu’s espionage activities and the extent of the security breach”. According to the reports Liu became resentful when he was superseded and wanted to take revenge with the organisation as well as the country which has not promoted him though he was the fit candidate for the same. As he wanted to retaliate, he copied the classified sensitive documents illegally and kept these documents with him to be used in future. Liu because of his supersession resigned from the think tank and started working in an investment firm. He lost large sums of money in the stock market as he was involved in risky stock speculation. He took loan and because of financial losses he failed to repay the loan hence he needed money to repay the mounting debt. Liu had sensitive details of J-35A, which was unveiled by China in November 2024. J-35A is a stealth fighter jet developed by Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC). China claims that it has multi-role strike capabilities and the fighter jet complements the J-20 of China. Liu who is an engineer copied the documents meticulously after taking all security precautions, so it became difficult to expose his operation. Liu used unidentified Identity Cards, different subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards and also used different communication channels so that security agencies could not suspect his activities. He also used different nom-de-plumes, used several aliases and codes while communicating with his handlers. He opened several online accounts for receiving the payments. Liu like a seasoned operator divided the classified documents in several parts before sending them to his handlers. The intelligence agency snapped its ties with Liu once he gave all the relevant documents to his handler. As Liu left the job, therefore he was in no position to get more classified documents to his handler hence the intelligence agency assessed that there is no use keeping Liu on its pay role and he was discarded. Liu who was in dire need of money, as he had to repay his debt, travelled to several countries and there, he sold these classified documents to intelligence operatives of few other countries too. Liu refined his techniques of supplying information to different intelligence agencies and instead of doing it in China he went abroad, contacted different intelligence agencies and supplied classified documents to them. Nonetheless Chinese security agencies became suspicious because of his numerous foreign trips and started keeping strict vigil on him. Intensive physical as well as electronic surveillance exposed his activities and he was caught and was convicted for espionage as he illegitimately given classified documents to a foreign agency. The court awarded him death sentence and he was deprived of the political rights also. Experts claim that under the present death sentence the accused would be executed only if the accused commits crimes during suspension period of two years, if the offender does not commit crime his death sentence would be reduced to life imprisonment or to a fixed-term sentence. China showed J-35A at an air show in Zhuhai in 2024. Now China has J-20 Mighty Dragon Fighter as well as J-35A. Hence China became the second country after United States which has two different fifth generation fighter jets. The two stealth fighter jets in US are F-35 Lightning II & F-22 Raptor. Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, where Liu was working, was also deeply involved in development of J-35A. J-35A can work in land and it has also a sea variant role. It would enhance China’s capability in sea and it is important as tensions are rising in South China Sea and Taiwan Strait. United States and its allies are enhancing their presence in the Indo-Pacific and US has also deployed F-35 in Japan, South Korea and Australia hence Chinese J-35A counterbalances US air superiority in the area. As both US and China are enhancing their fighter fleet in Indo-Pacific region, it is visualised that in near future there may be a battle for air dominance. This espionage case is significant as China’s intelligence agencies are involved in stealing secrets from several countries. The China watchers claim that Chinese intelligence agencies including MSS are involved in stealing secrets from several countries particularly from USA, Europe and other countries. Chinese agents besides political intelligence also steals defence secrets, involve in industrial espionage, collects research data, technical and commercial intelligence. Beijing collects data through MSS, Ministry of Public Security (MPS), United Front Work Department (UFWD) and Intelligence Bureau (IB). Besides these China is also involved in collecting information through state owned organisations, front organisations, cyber espionage, signal intelligence and human intelligence. China created study centres on India border in Nepal and uses them for collection of intelligence in India. China used research vessel to collect intelligence pertaining to India and other countries. Honey trap is commonly used by Chinese intelligence operators. China also presses overseas Chinese to collect information required by China. Chinese agent Katrina Leung successfully honey-trapped a senior seasoned Federal Bureau Investigation (FBI) officer. The details of the article can be seen on link https://www.aviation-defence-universe.com/the-high-value-double-agent-katrina-leung/. China because of its aggressive approach has surly relations with several countries including Japan, South Korea, Philippines, Bhutan, India & Taiwan while China claims that it has resolved disputes with Russia, Tajikistan, North Korea, Pakistan, Nepal, Myanmar, Mongolia, Macau, Hong Kong, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan etc but several countries have resentment against Beijing. However only few out of these countries would be interested to get the classified details of J-35A clandestinely. Western countries including USA would be interested to know the secret details of J-35A as China considers USA as its enemy no.1 while USA also considers China as a threat to its lone super power status. However Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is a good paymaster while MSS mentioned that only small sum was paid to Liu and the spy agency left Liu. As CIA’s record goes it does not leave the agent once he/she starts working for them easily. Thirdly analysts claim that J-35A is the copy of F-35 hence US possess all the details about J-35A except the weapons fitted in the stealth fighter jet. Few analysts also claim that J-35A is a Chinese stealth fighter jet and these jets were given to Pakistan. Pakistan is a sworn enemy of India and Delhi has also border disputes with China hence India may also be interested to know about the increasing capabilities of China. The sentencing of Liu highlights the growing espionage battles between major global powers, with China taking an uncompromising stance against those accused of leaking military secrets. This case serves as a stern warning from Beijing to potential spies and reinforces the country’s commitment to safeguarding its defence advancements. The geopolitical implications of such incidents extend beyond China’s borders, especially as nations in the Indo-Pacific region enhance their military capabilities amid rising tensions. While the full extent of the breach remains undisclosed, the case raises critical questions about cybersecurity, intelligence operations, and the future of global power struggles in military aviation. (Jai Kumar Verma is a Delhi-based strategic analyst and member of United Services Institute of India and The Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses,. The views in the article are solely the author’s. He can be contacted at editor.adu@gmail.com)